Los Angeles Farmers Market
TOP SPOT: Budget Friendly
STORY BY: Veronica Hill
Summary: Grab your shopping tote and hit the Los Angeles Farmers Market for good food and fun.
Location: Los Angeles Farmers Market 6333 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles 1-866-993-9211 www.farmersmarketla.com
Price Range: $$
Pros: Diverse cuisine, lively atmosphere, fresh produce
Cons: Not all produce is organic
Back in the early 1990s, when I worked as an editor for US Magazine, the Los Angeles Farmers Market was one of my favorite lunch spots.
Today, 75 years after its humble beginnings in an open field at 3rd and Fairfax, this open air marketplace has only improved with age.
Gourmet chefs and celebrities mingle with locals and tourists in this hodge-podge of produce stalls and counter restaurants, many which have award-winning cuisine.
The Gumbo Pot (323-933-0358 • www.thegumbopotla.com) serves up some killer po boys and beignets, while Pampas Grill (323-931-1928) serves up Brazilian barbecued beef and chicken. Magee's Kitchen (323-938-4127), the market's original restaurant, has made its famous roast turkey since 1917.
For LA's best tuna salad, don't miss Tusquellas Fish and Oyster Bar (323-939-2078), or dig in to the brick oven borekas at Moishe's Village (323-936-4998). These Mediterranean pizzas have a loyal following, and the toppings are incredibly creative.
If you're craving a taste of Paris, grab a stool at The French Crepe Company (323-934-3113 • www.frenchcrepe.com) or the Monsieur Marcel Pain Vin Et Fromage (323-932-6855 • www.mrmarcel.com) — an open-air restaurant that's home to wine, cheese and other delights.
A few of my favorite Farmers Market restaurants are Bennett's Ice Cream (323- 939-6786), known for its Cabernet Sauviginon Sorbet; Bob's Coffee & Donuts (323-933-8929), famous for its cinnamon roll, and the Country Bakery (323-937-1968), which serves up the most delightful funnel cakes in the city.
While you're here, grab one of the market's famous green carts and hit the produce stands. Farm Fresh Produce (323-931-3773) has a nice juice bar (apparently approved by the King himself), and Farm Boy (323-936-6363) is stocked with delightful seasonal veggies and fruits.
Meat lovers shouldn't miss Marconda's Meats (323-938-5131), where you'll find awesome New York Style Dogs and animal-shaped ground beef, or Huntington Meats (323-938-5383 • www.huntingtonmeats.com), an award-winning butcher with some of the best homemade sausages in the city.
One thing's for sure. Be sure to bring along your appetite, as there's plenty to digest.
Have you been to the LA Farmers Market? Share your favorite market stalls and restaurants below. We'd love to hear your input!
